Jaguar XF debuts with ‘high-wire’ act in London

The all-new 2016 Jaguar XF midsize sedan has been revealed through a dramatic ‘high-wire’ water crossing in the heart of the London business district.

Expert British stunt man Jim Dowdell, veteran of Hollywood movies including Bond, Bourne and Indiana Jones, drove the all-new Jaguar XF 240 meters across a high-wire to highlight the lightweight aluminum-intensive architecture featured on the vehicle. The feat took place high over the Royal Dock in London’s Canary Wharf.

“Over my 35 years in the industry I’ve driven Jaguar vehicles on many Hollywood movie sets. However, the biggest test for me on this stunt was the unpredictability of the elements. Potential oscillation in the high-wires from wind speeds meant it added a real challenge. The wires are only 34mm in diameter so the journey required absolute precision, balance and control” said, Jim Dowdell, expert stuntman.

Meteorological experts and structural engineers were on hand to determine precise drive conditions, based on comprehensive crosswind analysis. As a contingency, Jim Dowdell was rigged up with abseil equipment, a cherry picker crane was on hand and a RIB safety speedboat waited on the banks.

The all-new Jaguar XF will make its debut at the New York International Auto Show. It will feature a lightweight aluminum platform to achieve better performance while prvoiding a larger interior. It will be powered by a choice of supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engines, with 340hp and 380hp power outputs, mated to an eight-speed automatic.